Melody Jones

Melody Jones is a fictional character from the Australian Channel Seven soap opera Home & Away, played by Celeste Dodwell. Dodwell originally auditioned for a separate part in the serial, but was offered the role of Melody instead. Dodwell said the part was a "dream come true". Melody is characterised as a shy student but has a "psychotic" side to her persona. Her main storyline arcs include a feud with her overprotective mother, Christine Jones (Liz Alexander) and a relationship with Geoff Campbell (Lincoln Lewis).

Melody is also admitted into a psychiatric clinic after Axel Hay (Trent Dalzell) assaults her and Christine tries to kidnap her. Dodwell said she carried out extensive research to help her portray the issue of mental health. She also found some of Melody's material challenging to play. In 2009, it was announced that Dodwell had decided to leave the serial and pursue further education overseas. Melody departed on-screen in February that year, which saw her move to New Zealand.

In December 2007, it was announced that Celeste Dodwell had been cast as a "Summer Bay High student". Just three days earlier, Dodwell had finished her drama HSC and scored the highest mark in New South Wales. Dodwell originally auditioned for the role of Nicole Franklin, however Tessa James became the successful candidate. Dodwell's agent informed her about Melody's "character breakdown" and she said that it "intrigued" her. Dodwell said it was a "dream come true" and accepted straight away. In 2009, TV Week reported that Dodwell had decided to quit the serial in order to attend drama school in the United Kingdom.

Melody is characterised as "kind, shy and loyal" but has a "psychotic" side. Dodwell said that playing Melody, the "more intellectual and timid side of human nature, is really rewarding."

In one storyline Melody is sexually assaulted by Axel Hay (Trent Dalzell). Dodwell said from an actor's perspective, it was "a tough journey to go on" because Melody's scenes are "demanding". As a result, Melody has a "big breakdown", Dodwell said she had to delve deep into her character's psychology and admitted it was a harsh experience. To research the plot Dodwell gained inspiration from watching the film Girl, Interrupted and visiting a psychiatric clinic. The "very dark and solemn" atmosphere in within the two helped Dodwell with the psychological build up in Melody. When is admitted into a psychiatric clinic, where Aden Jefferies (Todd Lasance) is also being treated. While Axel is killed by Larry Jefferies (Paul Gleeson). Lasance said that Aden had been "protective of Melody after Axel took advantage of her". The pair share an "unspoken bond" because of their past experiences and he "understands exactly what she's going through." While he tries to help her, "Melody thinks she is evil" because she prayed for Axel to die. Aden's help "brings her back down to earth". Melody has hallucinations of Axel trying to attack her again, Dodwell said it was a "toiling situation" to get herself into Melody's frame of mind. Melody's interfering mother Christine Jones (Liz Alexander) has Melody discharged from the clinic. This worsens Melody's condition because she believes Axel will get her. She thinks Geoff doesn't know what he wants, and that she's right for him, so she's trying to make him see that. She doesn't realise how far she's taking it. She goes psycho!"

When she begins to recover, Melody decides she wants to rekindle her relationship with Geoff Campbell (Lincoln Lewis), however, Geoff has moved on with Nicole Franklin (Tessa James). Dodwell said Melody is "almost psychotic" in her attempts to win him back. She had previously happy while with Geoff, so "she's obsessed with having that happiness again". When Melody finds out about Nicole, her "heart breaks, it shatter into a thousand little pieces" and she thinks she will become "unstuck" again because she still feels "unstable". Dodwell said Melody should have given up at that point, but Melody thinks through "determination" she can win him back. Dodwell also had members of the public approaching her and recommending that Melody seeks professional help.

Series producer Cameron Welsh said Melody's journey is "interesting" because "it gets worse before it gets better" for her. He said she had been a "fascinating character" for the production team to develop, because she is the opposite to traditional Home and Away characters with problems. Melody started out as "well and has gone bad", whereas "most characters start out a lot of issues, then time in Summer Bay reforms them." Melody is later taken in by Miles Copeland (Josh Quong Tart). Melody's behaviour becomes a problem when she goes on a "downward spiral" and develops an attitude problem. She later runs away to Melbourne, believing that everyone else will be better off without her. In the storyline Miles and Charlie Buckton (Esther Anderson) travel to Melbourne to search for Melody. The episodes marked the first time the cast had filmed in Melbourne. Location shoots took place at Queen Victoria Market, Docklands Studios Melbourne and on St Kilda Road. Anderson told Inside Soap that "It's a nice self-contained little storyline" and described it as a treat for British and Irish viewers. She added that Melody ends up on the streets and Charlie and Miles fail to locate her straightaway, which leads her into trouble."

In the build up to Melody's exit, she finally meets her grandmother Audrey Long (Wendy Playfair), who caused her Christine's bitter outlook on life. When Audrey reveals her "true colours" to Melody, she makes the decision to go and live in New Zealand.